Palace of Sports, Kiev
The Palace of Sports (Ukrainian: Палац Спорту, Palats Sportu) is an indoor sport-concert complex situated in the center of Kiev, Ukraine. The complex is an independent state enterprise.
Палац Спорту | |
 | |
| |
| Location | Shevchenko, Kiev, Ukraine |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 50°26′14″N 30°31′20″E |
| Public transit | Kiev Metro:   |
| Owner | Kyivskyi Palats Sportu CJSC |
| Capacity | Concerts: 10,000 Ice hockey: ≤7,000 |
| Field size | 66 m x 102 m |
| Surface | floor/ice variable |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1958–1960 |
| Opened | December 9, 1960 |
| Renovated | 1981–82, 2004–05, 2010–11 |
| Architect | Mykhailo Hrechyna, O. Zavarov |
| Tenants | |
| Kyiv-Basket (2018–present) | |
History
It was built between 1958–1960, to design of Mykhailo Hrechyna and Oleksiy Zavarov, as a major indoor sports arena and was opened on 9 December 1960.[1] Constructivism Architecture, an artistic movement sporting mostly simple geometric forms was used in the design.
In the first 50 years, the Sports Palace was the venue for 16 world championships, 28 European championships, 42 championships of the USSR and more than 4,000 concerts and theatre shows as stage performances. In addition, there were around 400 exhibitions and fairs. The events attracted more than 24 million visitors.[2]
Renovations
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In 1980–1982, the Palace of Sport was reconstructed (by the Kievproject Institute and the Kiev Zonal Scientific Research Institute for Experimental Design). The lighting and technical facilities were almost completely modernized, the interiors and halls were expanded and otherwise illuminated, the palace was equipped with numerous changing rooms and sideboards.
The Palace of Sports was confirmed by officials as the host venue for the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 in September 2004.[3] However, in order to host the contest, the facilities had been brought up to the standard required by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). At the end of December 2004, work began on the renovation of the hall,[4] for which approximately 4 million francs were allocated.[5] Renovation works were to be finished by 20 April,[6] however, they were completed at the beginning of May.[7][8] The arena could accommodate over 5,000 seated spectators. Additionally 2,000 press delegates were catered for.
A further reconstruction took place from October 2010 in preparation to host matches for the 2011 IIHF World Championship Division I. As part of the reconstruction, the backstage space was completely re-equipped, six sports locker rooms were installed, the hall lighting was modernized, and the ventilation, air-conditioning, heating and fire safety systems were completely replaced. In addition, a modern quadrilateral display appeared above the arena. In the stands, plastic seats were installed in the colors of the national flag: the total number of seats is 6,900 for sporting events, increased to 9,800 when in concert-mode.[9]
Events
The venue hosts indoor sports games, concerts, major exhibitions and trade fairs.
Sport
The hall hosts ice hockey, basketball and boxing competitions. The home teams have included the ice hockey club HK Sokol Kiev and the basketball clubs BC Kiev and BC Budivelnyk.
Major sporting events to be held at the arena include the 2012 Professional Hockey League All-Star Game, 2013 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship and 2013 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships.[10]
Eurovision
It hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2005, which required the facilities to be brought up to the standard, required by the European Broadcasting Union. Four years later, the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2009 was hosted in the venue. It is the only venue to have hosted both the junior and adult versions of the song contest (Rotterdam Ahoy will share this honour following the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2007 and Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in May 2021).
Concerts
The Sports Palace is also a popular venue for concerts, having been the venue for Didier Marouani and Space on 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 of July 1983, Ace of Base, Backstreet Boys, Black Eyed Peas, Britney Spears, Deep Purple, Judas Priest, A-ha, Jamiroquai, Jean Michel Jarre, Moby, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Muse, Placebo, Limp Bizkit, The Rasmus, Christina Aguilera, Anastacia, Lenny Kravitz, Chris Rea, Lara Fabian, Depeche Mode, Sting, Marilyn Manson, The Prodigy and others.
Business
The Sports Palace hosts annual business events, such as: «Megatraining», «Dream Big Forum», «Big Money Forum», «Business Concentrate», «Online Business Laboratory».
References
- "Palace of Sports (Kiev). History of the complex". erch2014.com.
- https://web.archive.org/web/20160916040124/http://www.spalace.com.ua/index.php/the-palats-sportu-covered-arena
- "Eurovision NTU and EBU confirm: Palats Sportu - ESCToday.com". 6 September 2004. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
- "Eurovision Renovation of Palats Sportu has begun". ESCToday.com. 26 December 2004. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
- "Eurovision NTU President doubts about Palats Sportu expenses". ESCToday.com. 27 April 2005. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
- "Eurovision 'Palats Sportu must be finished by 20 April'". ESCToday.com. 27 February 2005. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
- "Eurovision Kyiv: The stage is taking shape". ESCToday.com. 4 May 2005. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
- "Eurovision Palats Sportu scene is getting ready". ESCToday.com. 11 May 2005. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
- "В Киеве открыли обновленный Дворец спорта". СПОРТ.UA.
- "The 2013 World Championships in Kiev!". Archived from the original on 2012-08-31. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
External links
- Official website (in Ukrainian)
| Events and tenants | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Abdi İpekçi Arena Istanbul |
Eurovision Song Contest Venue 2005 |
Succeeded by Olympic Indoor Hall Athens |
| Preceded by Spyros Kyprianou Athletic Centre Limassol |
Junior Eurovision Song Contest Venue 2009 |
Succeeded by Minsk Arena Minsk |
| Preceded by Tivoli Hall Ljubljana |
IIHF World Championship Division I Venue 2011 |
Succeeded by Krynica Ice Stadium Krynica |
| Preceded by Spodek Katowice |
IIHF World Championship Division I Venue 2017 |
Succeeded by László Papp Budapest Sports Arena Budapest |
